I don’t want to take anything away from Jon’s book vine; it’s a great idea, but another idea is from Sonny:
… everyone should buy their own copy. That way, as the difference aspects, authors contentions, philosophies, etc. of each book is discussed, every one of us will have their own copy from which to refer.
I don’t just read my books. I study them loke a college text. I also often review parts of them or in one way or another, refer to them, so they become part of my library. I don’t think it’s asking to much for each of us to spend(even a used book on Amazon) $10 – $30 per month, assuming each book is discussed for a month (or longer) before going onto another.
Anyone have a new business book they want to read as a book club?
First Break All the Rules is on my Amazon wish list: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0684852861/ref=ord_cart_shr/103-1195175-2566223?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
but I would be willing to re-read any good books too. 7 Habits? Cashflow Quadrant? Guerilla marketing? Gerstel?
Mike
Replies
Mike,
Count me in.
haven't read "Break All The Rules" either.
I'd re-read Cashflow Quadrant, Rich Dad Poor Dad, 7-habits, or most anything.
Bowz
Great! Anyone else up for reading First Break All the Rules? I know Blue is always recommending it.
Mike
Yeah, I'll read it.
Jon Blakemore
I'm all for it. I'll have to retrieve my copy. I usually pass all the best books along to someone..Frank may have a copy too.
I've been wanting to re-read this one. I'll get it for sure this week and be ready by next week.
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
Bump!
Mike, I retrieved my copy of First Break All the Rules. After re-reading the introduction, I got all fired up again about reading that book! I forgot how valuable the information is!
I should have it re-read by weeks end. I think everyone that is running a business or managing a crew or living with a family should read this book.
Go to Amazon.com and read all the reviews. There are two reviews that offer mixed messages but about 8 that have very strong reccomendations such as:
"I have to say this is the most useful book on managing people I have ever read."
"I recommend this book for any manager. It helped me in a very real, measurable way."
" For the last 23 years I've been an executive coach working with mostly upper level managers and when this book first came out in 19999 one of my clients sent me a copy. Within two months I was using it as the basis for a class I've been teaching to companies ranging from logistics to manufacturing to entertainment to retail"
It clearly identifies how managers become their own worst enemy by virtue of the things they do (or don't do)
The discussion of talent and it's implementation make for some of the best management reading ever. Some very pertinent examples and data are given in the first chapters which strongly support their points.
This is the best statistics book that I've ever read. And, I know statistics books, because I got my undergraduate degree in Statistics
Gentlemen, I will guarantee that your company will operate more profitably if you read and implement this book. Implementation is a ton easier and a ton more effective than giving raises!
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
Blue, you spurred me to stop procrastinating--I just ordered the book from Amazon. Along with "How to Win Friends and Influence People" I qualified for the free shipping.
Do you feel like the book is more applicable to business or life? Anything in particular to watch for when reading it? Wait 'till you re-read to answer if you want....
Mike
Now add "Thank, and Grow Rich" by Napolean Hill
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Already got it. Good advice, as well as entertaining for the period style. Any other favorites?
Mike
Do you feel like the book is more applicable to business or life
Mike, it's actually geared to business, but the prinicples certainly would apply to life issues such as family, team sports, etc.
You won't be dissappointed unless you're already one of those managers that are instinctively on top of the game. I wasn't.
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
That's interesting.
As I re-read it, I'll keep that in mind.
Thanks.
blue
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
Blue,
Very interesting book, I'm into chapter 3.
As I am reading so far, what comes to mind is all the reasons I left the 4 builders I worked for, before I went on my own.
If the 12 questions had been addressed by 2 of the 4, I think I would still be working for them.
Last night I read the 12 questions to DW. She compared her experience between 2 different bosses, while she had the same job. She loved the job with the boss that hit 11 of the 12, and hated the same job when a different boss was assigned to her, and that boss marginally hit on 4 or 5 of the 12. Not only did she then hate the job, but so did the people who were working under her.
Bowz
Bowz, it is interesting indeed!
When I first read the book, I immediately assessed my entire history of being an employee and came to that same conclusion. I probably would have stayed with my first employer. I didn't leave him for money, but there were several other of the 12 questions that he fell short on.
More importantly, I was able to assess my own performance as a manager and I see why/where I fell far short of being a good leader.
I feel lucky to have found this book. This gives me a chance to change my ways.
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
I've been listening to the first CD as I drive around.
I have to catch it a few times to really hear it. But I'll keep on it and sooner or later I'll be done with the book.
Jon Blakemore
I wish Amazon would hurry up and bring me the book already!
Jon, anything standing out to you as interesting in the book?
Mike
We're hiring for the first time (actual structured hiring, that is) right now.One insight I've really appreciated is that great managers don't try to put in what was left out, they focus on drawing out what was left in.So often I try to get guys to do things that they are not inclined to do. Certain things like being dependable, honest, dilligent, etc. are not negotiable. But being able to communicate clearly enough to deal with clients is.Some cannot and will never have the ability to deal with customers. There's no sense in pushing them and creating undue pressure on yourself. Instead give them the type of work that they enjoy and can be profitable.Another thing is managers ignore the golden rule. Don't do unto others as you want to be treated.I've always been unlike many of my coworkers. The motivators are very different for them and me. When a boss offered something that I thought was worthless it might be a big hit with the others. If I try to motivate my men with the things that I want, they will quit. Give them what's important to them and you company will retain the quality workers.
Jon Blakemore
Jon, those were some of the things that struck me the hardest when I first read the book too. I started analyzing how I'd treated my employees in the past. I used to think that it was my duty to motivate them to strive for the same level of business involvement as I. If they weren't interested in business, I automatically thought that they lacked something, that they lacked iniative and motivation. I also created enviorments that put everyone on the same carpentry path that I took. I thought that everyone aspired to be a foreman.
Life is so much simpler when you quit trying to fit square pegs into round holes!
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
So how is it going with this book?
I think I have come to the conclusion that I will not be one of the world's greatest managers. But that's OK because from what I have seen in construction, nobody comes close to the managers described in the book.
The part about treating people differently challenged some of my assumptions. A friend had once described how he handles his two employees differently, and my thought was "That won't work". Now I understand what he was talking about.
The most disappointing part of the book was what I percieved as their put-down of self-improvement. To concentrate only on talent alone, seems to me like looking at a flat tire and saying, "Hey, it's alright, the top is still round!"
One more thought I will take from this book, as well as from Blue's comments, and from the unappreciative employee thread, is not to try to force improvements on people, or expect that they will absolutely jump at the opportunities laid in front of them.
"Don't waste time trying to put in what was left out. Try to draw out what was left in."
Bowz
I'm about halfway through, maybe less. I'm really enjoying it, everything so far rings true as far as you can't change people. I liked the explaination of the difference between skill, knowledge, and talent. I liked the focus on identifying and pulling out the talents in people; I'm looking forward to the later chapters on how to do that.
Like you I know I'm not going to be one of the great managers in the world, but after being spoon-fed information like this I think I can learn to at least be a good manager. In the past it's been hit and miss, and the times where I felt like I was doing well as a manager I can see in the book.
You're right about most managers in construction not coming close to those described in the book, but I've worked for some lead carps who were very close on several points. Natural people-people, explain the desired outcome and leave you to your own devices, an uncanny knack for giving you just the piece of information you need when you need it, without overwhelming you.
Mike
I hate Amazon. Sometimes they take too long. I usually just go to the bookstores.
I'm rushing through the book myself again. I'm finding it just as interesting as I did the first time around.
I did pick up several more books that have been recommended here. I got The Little Red Book of Selling by Jeffry Gitmore, The Emyth Contractor, which I probably don't need to read but will, Guerilla Marketing in 30 days becauase we are launching so many different programs, and The Secrets of Closing the Sale by Zig Ziglar.
Fun stuff. I went looking for a decent architectural book but couldn't find anything interesting.
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!